Melbourne-Based Lucas Restaurant Group to Open a Two-Level Japanese Barbecue

There’s a busy year in store for Chris Lucas’ Melbourne-based restaurant group, with two restaurants slated to open over the next eight months.

The minds behind Sydney’s favourite South-East Asian diner, Chin Chin, have just unveiled their plans for a two-level Japanese barbecue joint in Melbourne’s inner-city.

This restaurant will be the second venue at the group’s 80 Collins Street address, where the previously announced Society is set to open mid-year.

Yakimono, named after the tradition of grill-cooking, is set to be a high-energy, modernist expression of Japanese cuisine. Sprawling across two storeys, the inner-city eating house will centre on an open kitchen equipped to sling robust and adventurous flame-grilled flavours in a lively environment.

The venue will be headed up by former Sydney restaurateurs and industry power couple, Vicki Wild (front of house) and chef Martin Benn (kitchen) of Sepia. Shortly after closing their award-winning restaurant in 2017, they were both coaxed into relocating to the south for the new Lucas Group opening.

Yakimono is purported to reflect Benn’s and Chris Lucas’ mutual love for Japan, with the venue’s fit-out inspired by Lucas’ favourite Japanese nightspots and its forthcoming menu by Benn’s long years at Tetsuya’s in Sydney.

According to the Good Food Guide, the venue is expected to seat 220 people across its tables and bars, with all eyes on the open kitchen. This all-day eating house will also enjoy terrace seating on the sidelines of Exhibition Street and will no doubt be churning with hungry diners, day and night.

Lucas Group plans to swing Yakimono’s doors open late this year for an early high-season debut, so be sure to keep an eye out for further news on the venue’s menu and personnel. With an all-star lineup and a fresh, exciting atmosphere to boot, Yakimono is the only excuse I need to get down to Melbourne this year!

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